$143,000 Donated to Local Organizations and College Students

Release date: 12/5/2017

STATESVILLE, NC – 2017 marks the third year that Carolina Farm Credit has distributed grants from its Corporate Mission Fund. $143,000 was donated to 26 local organizations and 8 college students in 2017.

“Our Corporate Mission Fund allows us an opportunity to support grass roots organizations that are making a difference in their rural communities. We are also thrilled to be able to support these college students further their education with the scholarships." Vance Dalton, CEO, Carolina Farm Credit

Alexander County High School FFA (Alexander County) – Funds will be used to build a structure to house a portable livestock handling facility in order to educate Animal Science students and local producers about Beef Quality Assurance guidelines and safe handling practices.

Alamance Soil & Water Conservation District (Alamance County) – The Corporate Mission Fund grant was awarded to assist the Soil and Water District in purchasing a no till drill.

Back in the Woods Again (Chatham County)– Funding was requested to help provide lodging, meals, and gear to wheelchair bound individuals and children with disabilities participating in the hunting program.

Bartlett Yancey FFA/Agricultural Education (Caswell County) – Grant funds will be used to purchase building materials for the school’s new animal science program. Building materials will allow for stalls and shelter to be built for animals, as well as a shelter for the outdoor classroom area for students.

Bit of Hope Ranch (Gaston County) – The Corporate Mission Fund grant will be used to improve walkways, fences, rest areas, and shade components that will enhance the therapeutic services offered to clients.

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (Watauga County)– Funding will be used to renovate the root crop storage facility at the High Country Food Hub. Having a usable root crop storage space will provide a cost effective way for farmers to sell more product.

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (Cabarrus County) – The Corporate Mission Fund grant was awarded to replace/repair the irrigation system at the Lomax Incubator Farm. The new irrigation system will allow for more reliable operation.

Central Carolina Holstein Association (Orange County) – The Corporate Mission Fund grant was requested in order to make repairs to the organizations facility in Orange Grove. Repairs will include replacing the heating and air conditioning system in the meeting space, replacing fans in the show barn, and other needed items.

Elkin High School Agriculture Program (Surry County) – Grant funds were requested to help fund the schools Land and Stream Hands on Learning Labs Project. Students are able to hatch and grow trout that are released into the local Elk Creek along with growing seedlings to be used in grafting projects.

Iredell-Statesville Schools Occupational Course of Study (Iredell County) – Grant funds were awarded to help purchase and construct a greenhouse that will provide students with a hands on learning experience and life skills that will transfer into adulthood.

Oak Grove High School FFA (Davidson County) – Funds were requested to help start the school’s new FFA chapter. Funding will be used to help purchase FFA Jackets for new members.

Pheiffer University (Stanly County) – The Corporate Mission Fund grant will be used to purchase supplies to increase productivity of the school’s community garden. Supplies will include, lumber to build a deck and wheelchair ramp, gravel for walking areas, and materials for the construction of new garden boxes and cattle panels.

Piedmont Progressive Farmers Group COOP (Jackson County) – Funding is being provided to help with the purchase of a mobile walk-in refrigeration/freezer unit that will be used to transport products from local farms to processing/distribution centers.

The Patterson School Foundation (Caldwell County) – Funding was requested to construct a greenhouse that will be used for starting seeds and transplants. This greenhouse will allow the school to offer a fully operational farm system.

Victory Junction (Randolph County) – The grant funds will be used to expand the camp’s Barn program by purchasing a warmblood size two horse trailer. The horse trailer will allow the camp to transport their large horses to integrate into the identified local programs.

Wilkes Early College High School (Wilkes County) – The Corporate Mission Fund grant will be used to develop a bee keeping program that will focus on experiential learning and education outreach.

Carolina Farm Credit is a stockholder-owned cooperative providing financing to full and part-time farmers and agricultural-related businesses and also provides financing for the construction and purchase of homes in 54 counties through 32 branch offices. Other financial services available are credit life insurance, appraisal services, leasing programs and financial planning.

For 100 years Farm Credit has been supporting rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services.